Robert E Lee High School - Leeway / Record Yearbook (Staunton, VA)

Page 33 text:

I ' lic soi.i iut point in oiir (.rccd slioiild lie, 1 believe In my fellow-men.” What a iiai;ie situation would exist if no one could be trusted. If we are always doubting and siuestioning a person’s actions we can never be successful. The third point should be, 1 believe in myself.” A certain amount of confidence in one’s self is necessary if he would succeed. Every one should study himself and determine wdi. ' .t characteristics and talents are worthy of development. Set a goal tow ard which to work. You may never reach it but it is more delightful to be going somewhere than it is to have arrived. Of course, other beliefs may be added to individual creeds but the three named are essential in a w ' ell-developed life. Mav each of us strive to live nobly and leave after us monuments not of stone but those of kindness and good deeds. We express our sincere appreciation for the guidance that our teachers have faith- fullv given us. We shall try to show this appreciation by living up to the ideals set for us. We have spent many happy hours together at Lee High. Memories of these will aKvays linger in our minds. With a feeling of elation that we are fortunate enough to live in these stirring times, we now go forth with enthusiasm to lend our efforts toward those things which make for noble and upright character. So, w ' e the Class of 1934 say, Farew ' dl.”

Page 32 text:

Valedictory MARGARET KELLER T O THE CLASS OE 1934 the occasion this evening is a momentous one. Our high school careers are rtnished. We stand upon the threshold of new opportunity for development. The spirit of adventure fills our hearts as we go forth to try to improve this world in which we live. There is a great responsibility awaiting us. Every one is beginning to awake to the fact that the depression is not an economic depression but a character depression. The trouble we are now enduring is due to failure in character, therefore these are the times that try men’s souls.” The young people of today must strengthen their own characters and through them influence the characters of others. Take for example the great Virginians who stand as almost perfect examples of noble, sterling character in chaotic periods of their state’s history. Something must account for these wonderful characters for character does not reach such consummate flowering alone, and by accidental causes! At this time many important decisions must be made. In making these decisions we should not allow ourselves to swim with the crowd,” but rather we should form our own opinions and think for ourselves. Dr. Robert Wicks of Princeton University makes the following statement: Wherever we have learned new truth, sensed new beauty, improved taste or found new ways to live, it has never been by the vision of majorities.” C9ur great Virginia leaders withstood every shock of surprise or defeat without a tremor or a doubt. The greatness of their character was as evident in defeat as in the most brilliant victories. We should be prepared to adjust ourselves to varying condi¬ tions and to the supreme tests that are inevitable in life. Since we are launching in a time that tries men’s souls” we should formulate a creed, because a person’s beliefs determine his actions. The first point in a creed that will promote upright character is I believe in a God who is love.” Every one should strive toward that ideal of living which recognizes the supremacy of spiritual values. W ' hen th ere is peace of mind much can be accomplished.

Page 34 text:

Saluta tory Katherine Lee O N BEHALF OF THE CLASS OF ’34 I extend to you, our friends, a cordial and hearty welcome. ' There is a true glory and a true honor; the glory of duty done and the honor of integrity of principle.” Duty,” as Lee was wont to say, is the noblest word in the English language.” Duty done to our God, to our fellow-men and to ourselves is the only true glory; and the only true honor is found in the excellence of the things for which we stand. Lee, the great Southern leader, and one of the noblest men our country has ever produced, found these two things. He did his duty, by siding with his belov ' ed State, Virginia, when she chose to secede, and by remaining true to her and suffering the hardships of her people amid the ruin brought on by the War Between the States. Although he loved the Union, and fore-saw a great calamity in the dissolution of it, he said, I am willing to sacrifice everything but honor for its preservation.” Then, when the War was over, and the lone figure in gray returned, he remarked with equal vigor, I did only what my duty demanded; I could have taken no other course without dishonor.” Lee! ' ' I ' hy great soul lives on! Wc know Thou didst not fight in vain. Not fruitless was thy country’s woe, Or unwept all its slain.” We, too, can strive for these two worthwhile things. In the years to come, may we not falter from the path of duty; though at times rough and steep, it is a path of happiness, a path that leads to glory. In times of seeming defeat, if we but do our duty as it should be done; if we but keep to the honest and upright tasks, we will, in reality, turn defeat into glorious victory.